Barcelona still eyeing Mikel Arteta despite new Arsenal contract in May

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FC Barcelona are still reportedly interested in appointing Mikel Arteta as a potential replacement for Xavi Hernandez in the future despite the Arsenal manager signing a new contract with the Gunners in May.

According to Sport, the 40-year-old Basque coach remains on Barcelona’s radar in the event that Xavi is dismissed by the Catalan club, with the La Liga coach this season once again failing to get the European giants into the next round of the UEFA Champions League.

Whilst Arteta is yet to even qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, the Arsenal manager’s work with the north London side since 2019 has been nothing short of impressive, with the Gunners this season sitting top of the Premier League standings having progressed from their UEFA Europa League group with ease.

With Arteta’s work with developing young players, such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, winning praise from supporters and pundits, it makes sense why Barcelona would take an interest in one day appointing the Arsenal manager should Xavi leave or face the sack.

Indeed, whilst Barcelona have been impressive under Xavi and have taken massive strides, particularly in the league, there’s still a sense from some supporters that the La Liga side should be further along on their road back to the top of European football, with Champions League results under the Catalan coach nothing short of disastrous.

Yet instead of already looking for replacements, Barcelona should take a leaf out of Arsenal’s book and continue to back Arteta, with the Gunners’ decision to stand by the former Manchester City coach arguably one that has led the north London side to where they are today.

Barcelona should stick with Xavi instead of appointing Arteta

It’s quite surreal to see where Arsenal are currently at compared to when Arteta first joined the club in December 2019, with the Basque coach leading the Gunners to their best-ever Premier League start and looking like a safe bet to return to the Champions League. And Barcelona should take some lessons from this story.

Whilst Xavi has underperformed in Europe, Barcelona are well in the race for the La Liga title. And just like with Arteta, Barca’s youth drive since the return of the club legend has been incredible, with the next generation already set in stone.